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Network Topologies CheckPoint
There are three major network topologies. Bus, ring and star networks all have advantages and disadvantages to each configuration. Depending whether a company wants to save money or spend more money for a reliable and stable environment will determine which network topology they choose. In the following I will describe how each is set up and the advantages as well as the disadvantages to all three.
Bus network topology is the easiest and simplest to set up. Bus is set up by using one common network cable and attaching devices off of that cable. This set up is sort of like the human bodies central nervous system. One main nerve branches out into all the individual nerves. Some advantages to this set up are that it is cost saving and very easy to add and delete devices on the network. The one major disadvantage to this network topology is that if the main cable breaks, the whole network crashes. Troubleshooting network problems can be difficult as well. Because of the Bus network’s simple design and low cost, it is the most common network used in business today. (Malaga 2005)
Star network topology uses a hub to distribute information on the network. A hub receives information and routes that information to the proper location on the network. Each device on the star network must be hooked to the hub. An advantage to the star network is that it is easy to set up by adding or deleting devices from the hub. Another advantage is that is it easy to troubleshoot and reconfigure the network. Since the hub distributes that information, to reconfigure the network you would just need to reconfigure the hub. Two major disadvantages are present in this system. First, if the hub fails then the whole network crashes. Second, the hub can slow down with too much information passing through the hub, the term for this is bottlenecking.
Ring network topology uses a device that is hooked to two other devices in the...